Antonio Navarro, manger at Taqueria El Jaliciense in Texas City, displays some of the restaurant’s offerings. Photo by Stuart Villanueva
Where Mexican comfort food is personified and diets are prohibited
Hidden in plain sight in a Texas City strip mall, Taqueria El Jaliciense has become a local and beloved staple along Palmer Highway.
While the casual décor may be limited, friendly and attentive servers are not. Neither are loyal patrons. It’s easy to spot students from the nearby high school sporting team uniforms, workers from area refineries and families laughing and enjoying their meals. Live musicians stroll between tables singing familiar melodies.
Fajitas for one feature beef, chicken and shrimp. Photo by Stuart Villanueva
Family-size portions make sharing your entree among your table of hungry friends not only a generous gesture, but almost a requirement if you’d rather skip carting leftovers home.
The thin cut sirloin steak arrives at the table branding-iron hot, spitting juices from the sizzling plate. Grilled onions and peppers, as well as warm corn tortillas, accompany the oversized platter of beef. Other classics, such as flavorful barbacoa and menudo, are served daily and easy to wash down with a drink from the bar or favorite cerveza.
The taqueria’s chili rellenos is Mexican comfort food personified. The roasted poblano chile, stuffed with ground beef, is batter-coated and fried until crispy before it’s smothered in melted cheese and showered with tomatoes. The plate, as well as many other menu items, arrives with the inevitable side of rice and choice of beans.
The interior of Taqueria El Jaliciense features arched doorways and vibrant colors. Photo by Stuart Villanueva
Feeling adventurous? Order the sautéed cactus salad, which is pleasantly unique. It’s served over a bed of fresh lettuce and topped with creamy slices of avocado. Plan to split the order with your dining companion or risk pushing the plate away in defeat.
With reasonable prices, a lengthy menu that includes breakfast burritos and traditional plated dishes such as migas, this no-frills restaurant’s food has cultivated a faithful following. With so many appetizing dishes available, perhaps an addition to the taqueria’s décor is in order. A sign stating, “Aqui se prohibe la dieta,” which means “Diets are prohibited here,” is part warning, part agreement and a policy by which customers easily comply.
Taqueria El Jaliciense
2013 10th Ave. N., Texas City
409.945.8997
The best ever chili con queso, chicken quesadillas, flour tortillas, Jalisco burrito and fajitas! I cannot find another taquerias that is as good as them an I have looked.
There’s 1 on edgebrook in Houston and they chop they beef fajita in the jalisco burrito which i think is better cause its not all stringy
Has the best Mexican food in town and is the cheapest Mexican food around Galveston county! I absolutely love my tacqueria! I have to eat here at least three times a week.
I’ve been to at least 50 mexican restaurants throughout the houston-galveston area, and Taqueria el Jaliciense is the best mexican food there is hands down. When people from around the area say “taqueria” they mean this restaurant specifically. No other restaurant can do.
Awesome food always!!
The best mexican restaurant i ever ate, best food in texas city, nachoes de lujo, nice serving size,
The Jalisco Burrito….So big. So Good!
This is the best Mexican food!! It’s the only Mexican restaurant we go to because none of the others can compare. Great food, amazing service we go at least once a week. Try it if you haven’t, your really missing out.
Been eating here for years…..Great atmosphere,friendly service, quick, reasonably priced and great food!!!
My family has been eating here for about 20 years.. We love the staff and they always greet us like extended family. Congratulations to the Navaro family.
I started eating there in high school! Love it! Miss them now that I live in Houston. Haven’t found any mexican food that comes close to their great flavor!
Where in Houston are you? There’s another restaurant on Edgebrook…they are from the same family. The food is awesome there too!! I eat at both places.
One of my favorite places to eat. The food and service is excellent. Everyone that works there from the Manager down to the buss people are friendly and pleasant.
Food is great and prices are good too. Our favorite family restaurant.